Boat
Clubs
The Boat Club model is one that has been in existence since the late
1980’s. Boat Club fleets typically consist of boats 30 feet or smaller and are generally
more powerboat oriented. The business model for boat clubs is that each club location owns
a fleet of boats that the local members have access to. Typically, reservations for
boat use are done online where the member chooses the dates, times, and style of boat that
they want to use for that period.
Members of Boat Clubs usually can choose the
type of boat they want to use for the day. Once the member is done using the boat, they
return to the marina, fill the boat with fuel, and return to the shore-side
living.
If using smaller boats (especially power
boats) is your preferred way of getting out on the water, and you are comfortable with
using a boat that many other club members have access to, a Boat Club may be for you.
There are many smaller, independent Boat Clubs in operation across North America;
however, the largest is Freedom Boat Club who offers club locations in over 120
locales.
Fractional
Boating
Fractional Boating can be split into two
categories: Fractional Membership and Fractional Ownership. Typically, Fractional Boating
lends itself to larger (27 feet and larger) boats and yachts. Let’s dive in and explore
the options!
The Fractional Ownership model is where
several individuals are involved in the purchase of a boat. Companies that promote
Fractional Ownership tout the fact that you have ownership in a boat and can sell or
trade up your ownership while remaining with the company. While this model certainly
works for some people, it can be limiting as you are financially tied to your Fractional
Ownership. While many people assume that Fractional Ownership is what Fractional Boating
is, there is another, dare we say, better option.
Fractional Memberships, such as SailTime,
are a more practical fractional boating model. With Fractional Memberships through
SailTime, there is one owner of a new Beneteau sail or powerboat. This owner places his
or her boat with the local SailTime base who then offers memberships for boating
time.
One of the many advantages of a Fractional
Membership is that when you become a member on a boat, that is the boat you will be
sailing on throughout the term of your membership. One of the unique aspects of
Fractional Membership programs is the limited number of members per boat (generally eight
members maximum per boat with SailTime). This means that you can be assured that everyone
using the boat you are a member on is treating her with care. It also means that there
are fewer people who could be trying to book boating time the same time as
you.
Fractional Memberships with SailTime are
offered in two membership levels, Classic which offers seven uses per month and Lite
which allow for three uses per month. Additionally, as a SailTime member, you have the
ability to use boats throughout the SailTime base network with SailTime PLUS. Think, you
could be on a business trip and still sneak in an evening or morning
sail!
Get Out on The
Water!
Any way you slice it, the access to boating
has been transformed by the sharing economy. The ability to get out on the water for a
fraction of the cost of ownership is a true
revolution.
Imagine spending time with family and
friends connecting with each other in ways only a day on the water can do! Now stop
imagining and make it a reality. Regardless of how you choose to get out on the water, a
day on a boat is filled with memories for a
lifetime!
Additional information can be found
at www.PacificaSailingCharters.com.
